Toots and The Maytals are from Kingston, Jamaica. It was the producer Byron Lee who 1971 renamed them Toots & the Maytals. Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, the leader of the group and the lead singer, was born in May Pen in the Parish of Clarendon, Jamaica. He was the youngest of seven children. He grew up singing gospel music in a church choir, but moved to Kingston in 1961 at the age of sixteen.
In Kingston, he met Henry "Raleigh" Gordon and Nathaniel "Jerry" McCarthy, forming a group whose early recordings were attributed to "The Flames" and, possibly, "The Vikings". Having renamed the group the Maytals, the vocal trio recorded their first album, "Never Grow Old - presenting the Maytals", for producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd at Studio One in 1962-63. With musical backing from Dodd's house band, the legendary Skatalites, the Maytals' close-harmony gospel singing ensured instant success for the 1964 release, overshadowing Dodd's other up-and-coming gospel trio, The Wailers. The original album augmented by studio out-takes from the Studio One sessions was re-released by Heartbeat/Rounder Records in 1997, and is essential listening for Maytals and Skatalites fans.
After staying at Studio One for about two years, the group moved on to do sessions for Prince Buster (released in 1974) before recording their second album produced by Byron Lee in 1965. However, the band's musical career was rudely interrupted in late 1966 when Hibbert was arrested and imprisoned on drug possession charges.
Following Hibbert's release from jail towards the end of 1967, the band began working with Chinese-Jamaican producer Leslie Kong, a collaboration which produced three classic albums and a string of hits throughout the late sixties and early seventies -- "Do the Reggay", a 1968 single widely credited with coining the word "reggae", "Pressure Drop", "54-46" and "Monkey Man", the group's first international hit in 1970. The group was featured in one of reggae's greatest breakthrough events -- The Harder They Come, the 1972 film and soundtrack starring Jimmy Cliff.
Following Kong's death in 1971, the group continued to record with Kong's former sound engineer, Warwick Lyn; produced by Lyn and Chris Blackwell of Island Records, the group released three best-selling albums, and enjoyed international hits with Funky Kingston in 1973 and Reggae Got Soul in 1976.
Toots and the Maytals' compositions would be given a second airing in 1978-80 during the reggae-punk and ska revival period in the UK, when the Specials included "Monkey Man" on their 1979 debut album and the Clash produced their version of "Pressure Drop", with other Maytals' covers being recorded by Sublime. Having toured throughout the world for many years, Toots and the Maytals disbanded in the early 1980s, but reformed in the early 90s to continue touring and recording successfully.
In 2005, the band won a Grammy award for best reggae album for True Love, consisting of re-recorded versions of their classics alongside legendary musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, and Keith Richards, as well as popular artists such as No Doubt, Ben Harper, The Roots, and Shaggy.
They also contributed to the Easy Star All-Stars album 'Radiodread' (a dub tribute to Radiohead's OK Computer).
In 2016 Toots and the Maytals announced a return to the stage with their first tour in 3 years,[35] and on June 15 at The Observatory North Park in San Diego the group returned to the stage for the first time since 2013.
In 2017 Toots and the Maytals played Coachella Fest April 16 and 23 at 4:20 pm. They became the second reggae-based group to perform at the Coachella festival, after Chronixx in 2016.
In 2018, Toots and the Maytals launched a 50th anniversary tour with concert appearances in North America from April to August, moving to dates in the UK starting in October.
On July 25, 2018 Toots and the Maytals debuted an original song entitled "Marley" live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and also played the classic "Funky Kingston".
On August 24, 2018 Toots and the Maytals performed at Lockn’ Festival in Arrington, Virginia, where guest Taj Mahal accompanied them on the song “Monkey Man”.
Frontman "Toots" Hibbert died on 12 September 2020.
Just Tell Me
Toots and The Maytals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then I will know just what to do
Just tell me that you're in love with me
And I will know that you want me dilligently
There is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do for you
There is nothing for you to pray to force me to do
Won't you tell me that you love me true
And I will know just what to do
Sing it again
La la la la la la la la la la
In "Just Tell Me," Toots and The Maytals sing about the power of clear communication in a relationship. The singer is asking their partner to openly express their love and affection, letting them know that they are wanted and valued. The repetition of the phrase "just tell me" emphasizes the simplicity of this request - all the singer needs is a clear declaration of love to guide their actions and decisions.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is deeply committed to their partner, willing to do anything for them. However, this dedication is balanced by a desire for reciprocity - the singer needs to know that their love is returned in order to feel secure and confident in the relationship. The chorus, with its infectious repetition of "I love you," captures the pure joy and excitement of being in love.
Ultimately, "Just Tell Me" is a song about the importance of mutual trust and openness in a romantic relationship. By expressing their love and desires without hesitation, the singer hopes to create a strong and lasting connection with their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Just tell me that you really love me true
If you confirm to me that your love for me is genuine, I will be assured and confident in how to proceed in this relationship.
Then I will know just what to do
A declaration of true love from you will provide clarity and direction for me, and I will act accordingly.
Just tell me that you're in love with me
If you express your deep affection for me, I will understand that you are committed to me.
And I will know that you want me diligently
I will discern from your words that you desire me intently, and I will respond to that desire.
There is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do for you
My love for you is such that I am willing to make any sacrifice for you and do anything to make you happy.
There is nothing for you to pray to force me to do
You don't have to resort to pleading or praying to influence me to act in ways that show my love for you. I will do so willingly.
Won't you tell me that you love me true
In a request for reassurance, I am asking you to divulge your authentic feelings for me.
And I will know just what to do
By knowing your emotions towards me, I will be certain about the next steps to take in our union.
Because I, I, I, I, I love you
I want to make sure you understand the magnitude of my love for you, which is why I’m reaffirming it multiple times.
Sing it again
The artist is requesting for the sentiment of his love to be repeated once again for emphatic effect.
La la la la la la la la la la
This repeated vocalization does not carry any meaning- it is purely fanciful, in order to elongate the song and allow the audience to fully appreciate the tune.
Contributed by Jasmine G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheMalmut
Goddamn, this music never ceases to wash away all my troubles, bring a smile to my face, and get get me groovin, however temporary it may be.
@michaelgifford8602
This song in particular. Wow. Toots was incredible.
@empresstashaii
I love this so much,..
thanks Toots.....live for ever tunes....
@mefirstnommelastnom8109
Love this song. I could listen to it in an endless loop... Well, I actually do 😊
The vocals at 2:18 are just brilliant ❤ 🇯🇲🇪🇹
@andrelacoste4974
Brilliant, hapiness in a can! Summer, good people and smiles!!
@terrorbhaudet2509
What a master sound❤
This is probably the best music ever made🙏🏽 jah bless
@giuseppelogiurato5718
Happiest song... Strength!
@Kaiqueoalves
Beeeeeest!!! 🇯🇲🔥🔥🔥
@pepeolivasanchez9945
They just bright like sun, their smiles are stars and moon
@kevuelitamoi884
He was loved by people in my country..all the way from Fiji islands...